Legendary Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar has passed away in the early hours of Wednesday at the age of 98 in Mumbai due to age-related ailments. The actor was hospitalized in the city for the past few days and was battling for survival. While he had shown signs of recovery as the hospital has said he was doing fine, the shocking news of his demise made headlines across the nation as entire India is grieving for the loss of the veteran. 

Taking to Twitter, Faisal Farooqui, who handles Dilip Kumar's Twitter account, wrote, "With a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip Saab, few minutes ago. We are from God and to Him we return." According to reports, the funeral of the deceased actor will take place later on Wednesday. Farooqui further said, "Burial today at 5:00 PM. Juhu Qabrastan at Santacruz Mumbai." 

Dr Jalil Parkar, the doctor who was treating Dilip Kumar at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai has confirmed the demise of the legendary actor. Dilip Kumar was admitted to the hospital on June 30 after he complained of breathing difficulty. It was his second hospitalization in one month and the actor was earlier diagnosed with bilateral pleural effusion and underwent a successful pleural aspiration procedure. In his first hospitalization in June, he was discharged in five days. 

He was again admitted to the same hospital on June 30 but he didn't leave the hospital alive as he has breathed his last in the early hours of Wednesday. His last breath has indeed stopped the breath of an era in Bollywood that was ruled by him for several decades. Dilip Kumar's demise had brought constant dusk in the Indian film industry as his contribution to the industry was immense and unparalleled. 

Dilip Kumar's career had spanned for six decades and he had presented a pile of admiring and enduring performances to the industry. He was a pivotal force in the thriving cinema industry and he successfully etched a history through his acting. Dilip Kumar was active nearly for six decades from 1944 to 1999 and after staying off from cinema, he went active in politics as he also had served as a Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra from 2000 to 2006.

Dilip Kumar had made his debut in the film Jwar Bhata in 1944. He had acted in over 65 movies and some of his notable movies include  Andaz - 1949, Aan - 1952, Daag - 1952, Devdas - 1955, Azaad - 1955, Mughal-e-Azam - 1960, Gunga Jamuna - 1961, and Ram Aur Shyam -1967.  For his immense contribution, he was conferred with Filmfare Awards for Best Actor eight times, Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994, Padma Bhushan in 1991, and Padma Vibhushan in 2015. 

Dilip Kumar is the only Indian to receive Pakistan's highest civilian award Nishan-e-Imtiaz. He received the award in 1998. According to reports, Dilip Kumar had lost his two brothers to COVID-19 in two weeks last year. The actor was not informed about their deaths. Dilip Kumar was surviving by his wife Saira Banu. On Monday, his wife Saira Banu had issued a statement that his health was improving.

The statement said, "We are grateful for god's infinite mercy on Sahib that his health is improving. We are still in hospital and request your prayers and duas so that god willing, he is healthy and discharged soon."  However, two days later, he had breathed his last and passed away at 98. After learning about his demise, several leaders and fans are paying tribute to the deceased soul, that once reigned Bollywood. 

With a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip Saab, few minutes ago.

We are from God and to Him we return. - Faisal Farooqui

— Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) July 7, 2021